Binghamton’s elevation to the top of the America East and the rumbles of NCAA talk should bring positive media coverage and talk among fans, not the negative publicity we have seen.

If the Bearcats fight their way through the field this weekend and bring a championship game to the Events Center, they will continue to garner attention — nationally and locally. Yet, some media, like The New York Times, and fans will still focus on the negatives, saying Binghamton’s recent “reputation” is bad for the conference’s image. But the naysayers are looking at it the wrong way.

Instead of focusing on the players’ past, how about paying attention to what they are doing in the present and what they will do in the future?

Head coach Kevin Broadus is taking these kids and making them into great team guys, on and off the court. The second-year coach is getting the maximum out of the same players that Syracuse Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim and St. Joe’s head coach Phil Martelli could not. Granted Tiki Mayben and D.J. Rivera have grown up since their days in the Big East and A-10, but Broadus deserves all the credit in the world for taking risks on these guys. And they are risks, you only have to look at Theo Davis to understand that.

We can all agree that Broadus isn’t recruiting players from elite private high schools with a 4.0 GPA or flawless personal histories. But why is this negative? Binghamton has been known as the Ivy League of the SUNYs academically, but this doesn’t mean they should recruit like one.

Yes, Malik Alvin had an off-court altercation. And he was rightfully suspended, suffered the consequences and wasn’t allowed back until everything was resolved. And yes, a couple of other players have left the team. But that has nothing to do with grades, and its nothing that should shame the America East into shunning Binghamton as its NCAA representative. In fact, I bet other coaches around the league, whether they want to admit it or not, may start expanding their approach in recruiting. When you recruit a kid who is given a second chance and you can form a solid, trusting relationship as a coach, friend and mentor, you think that kid is going to want to disappoint the guy who is taking a risk and giving the player a new positive outlook?

Broadus has taken a group of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and made them into a championship-caliber team. Talk about a rags to riches story. Now what they do while they are on top is yet to be seen, but right now, Broadus has made these players more concerned about the name on the front than on the back. No NCAA rules were broken and none of the players are failing out.

Broadus’ recruits may be different from what the America East and Binghamton is used to, but change doesn’t have to be bad. So while some may have an agenda against Binghamton and while some people may not be able to adjust to change, the story of these Bearcats should be a positive, encouraging one. It’s one of redemption and triumph and its one that is hoping for a glass-slipper ending.

You can voice your opinion while reading more of Ben’s thoughts and writings about the America East at americaleast.blogspot.com.